A/N: This was my first Twilight fic ever written, and at the time never went over real well. Its making its appearance once more as I go through my stock of old works that never made it. It took place just after I read the first book, before that book ever really became popular. It was taken over by Tempting Fate, so for all those who did not know what I was talking about when mentioned in the one-shot, here it is. I hope you enjoy reading the short portion of my deceased work Heart's Pain.
Disclaimer: I do not, nor shall ever, own the plot or characters of Twilight, which belong solely to the wonderful Stephenie Meyers.
Genre: Romance/Drama/Supernatural/Adventure/slight Action/some Angst, sorry not very good at this part, my stories usually have about everything in them.
Rating: PG-13(T)
Summary: They say your senior year is the beginning of something new, the end of your childhood, and a great change in your life. Bella will find out how true those words are as she is forced to face things she only dreamt about.
Heart's Pain
By: Dark Huntress
Chapter 1: Mr. Thompson
Bella stood outside her home, the wind rippling her long chocolate hair, swaying it so it blew uncomfortably into her face. The slight drizzle was numbing to her chilled skin, the fluid salty on her lips. The lush green land puddled with the rain, unable to absorb anymore moisture because of the constant amount that was supplied. The visibility was poor, but she knew she would have to drive today, Edward wouldn't show, not yet.
It had started the night before, another argument arising as she once again tried to persuade Edward. He wouldn't hear of it, his voice had rose and so had her's. His eyes turned to fire and her's to solid stone. He had won in the end, but the anger had soon subsided, leaving behind an ache that was all too familiar. She longed, wanted, and needed the presence of Edward at such a degree that she was sure it was unhealthy.
Kicking a pebble with end of her shoes, the frayed end of her weathered jeans growing heavy with mud, Bella made her way to the old rusted truck. Staring at the back fender in wonderment, she idly dwelled on her junior year, on the day that Edward had saved her life from being crushed. She recalled how she had finally started getting through the armor that he had placed himself in over the many years. She remembered the astonishment and the denial as she slowly pried the truth from his cold lips.
Sitting behind the wheel of the monstrous vehicle, Bella felt her limbs slowly regain movement as she started the engine and felt the warm air hit her body. Backing up out of the drive, and heading down the road, she couldn't quite help herself from being distracted. Blinking once or twice to rid herself of her heavy eyes, she turned on the windshield wipers, surprised at herself for forgetting such a thing.
A blurry silver vehicle soon came into view, the front end crunched up, and deep scrapes along the side of it. Halting her vehicle, Bella unbuckled and slipped back out into the dreary morning air, letting her truck run. Sliding down the muddy bank, which was not hard, she slowly stopped in front of the car, looking at the long marks. Walking to the driver's side window, a horrible gasp worked its way up her throat as a man, Mr. Thompson, sat there, paler than ever, and unmoving.
Opening the door with a yank, and watching his lifeless body fall to the ground, Bella fell to her knees, searching, searching, for something she knew wasn't there. No heartbeat pulsed beneath her fingertips, and slightly hyperventilating, she found herself wondering what to do. She had no cell phone, and felt reluctant to leave the man lying in a puddle of muddy water.
Twisting her fingers together nervously, and looking from side to side, Bella decided first that the best thing to do was cut the engine of her truck. Walking up the steep rise once more, and turning the key, she found herself reluctant to return now that she had left. But shaking her head, and reminding herself she was willing to yell and rant to a person who could snap her bones in half, that a dead body should be no problem. It did little to comfort her racing heart.
Mud caked itself on her jacket as she fell on her back, cursing in her head at the weather that continued to drive her insane. Bella found herself standing once more, and searching the interior of the van, hoping to find some object of communication. A cup of coffee was overturned, and stale donuts lined the floorboard, but no trace of a phone.
Sighing, and placing her head in her hands, it was perfectly natural when she jumped at the feel of a hand upon her shoulder. Jerking her head up as well, Bella was pleasantly surprised to see the blonde head and concerned eyes of Jasper Hale. He soon squatted before her, staring deep into her eyes, hoping to find something that would indicate what was happening.
"Jasper, how did you...?" looking to the side, where the body lay, the vampire strode over, touching his neck like she had done earlier on.
"Edward was worried when you didn't show. We all went looking, I just happened to find you. He's dead, no doubt about that," laying the man's head back down and strolling over to the human once more, he swiftly sat down on the muddy bank, without a concern for his still clean, and expensive clothing.
"How?" turning his head to stare leisurely at the most gruesome sight, Jasper sighed, running a hand over his eyes.
"Don't know. The scent has been washed away because of the rain, but it looks as if he's been attacked," looking at him, Bella watched to make sure he wasn't joking.
"By what? And how do you know that?" pointing at the van, and indicating the various marks upon the body, Bella followed Jasper's hand, wondering what he was seeing.
"See those marks on the side, they aren't normal, looks like claws in my opinion,"his voice was unsure, yet decisive.
"I thought they were from that brush over there," Bella pointed to the flattened bushes that could easily scrape the metal.
"No, too thick to be from that, and too few as well. Better call Carlisle," his flipped out his phone, dialing the number, and waiting patiently.
Bella ignored him at this point, looking up into the gray clouds, and feeling the earlier drizzle turn into a light mist. The bathing of water on her face wiped away the stench of the sweat which had accumulated because of her encounter. Hugging her body for comfort, pulling the jean jacket closer about her body.
A low rumble approached, so nonexistent that nobody would have usually noticed it, but she had become so accustomed to the quiet roars of the Cullen and Hales' cars that she recognized it instantly. Turning slightly, and looking at the car, Bella felt her heart leap as Edward and Alice slid out, their expressions worried as they stared at the vehicle. Horror swam over Alice's delicate features, her eyes wide and alert, while Edward's stormed with rage as he looked upon the damaged van.
"Edward?" his head turned immediately, the look in his eyes softening as he seemed to disappear and reappear at her side.
"Bella, are you alright?" nodding her head, burying her face against his chest, and letting out a choked sob, she felt the muscles of his arms slowly encircle her.
The comforting coolness of his body soon ebbed away the feelings from earlier, allowing her to momentarily forget the look on Mr. Thompson's face. The stench that fell off his skin in waves, to wipe away the remembrance of the feel of blood around his face. Shuttering as each of those things came to life once again, Bella silently scooted closer to Edward, hoping that he could protect her from her memories.
Others arrived, but she paid little attention, her body quaking every once in awhile and her breath hitching. The monotone voices of each member of the Hales and Cullen family were swirling about her ears, but she didn't raise her head to acknowledge any of them. Bella didn't want to ruin the moment in which she would be lurched out of her security and back into the world where a dead man had been found by her own eyes.
A small hand touched her shoulder, much smaller than that of Edward's, but the same distinct chill was still present. Moving her head so she could see who had touched her, Bella met the saddened eyes of Esme. Her short figure knelt down next to the human's giving her a one armed hug before pulling away.
The stench of his blood was still covering her body, still seeping through the aroma of the vampire she clung too, still churning her stomach. Looking at the wreckage, Bella looked at the destroyed metal with scrutiny, wondering, searching for cause of such a horrific death. His eye had been wide with fear, his mouth a silent scream, his arms beat to nothing but a solid surface of purple bruises, and streaming scrapes.
Shaking her head, Bella arose, strolling away, thinking of other things, anything to eliminate the horror of the scene. She wasn't sure exactly, whether she had gone into shock, or her mind had simple gone numb, but now that they were here, she felt no longer the more calm feeling of earlier. It had scared her, but she still hadn't been rash, hyperventilated like she was sure she was doing now.
Bella returned to her junior year, thinking hard on all the more memorable times, anything that could distract her. She remembered the incident when Edward had saved her from the van. The dents on her truck, the fear in everyone's eyes. The realization, and the start of what had now become her entire life.
And then, more fierce, the pain of the venom from James as it flooded her veins, trying to take away her life. The growing amount of blood, the fear in all the Cullen's eyes as they saw her body. Bella could remember Edward taking away the poison, saving her from a life that she didn't want to lose besides by the hands of her love.
Sitting on the opposite side of the road, Bella felt her lungs quiver as a sob tore up her throat. Each memory was gruesome, each one led her to the deceased face, to the lifeless eyes, to the screaming mouth. Each one returned her to the present, to the horror of the reality that was her own. She fought against those things, desperately struggling to free herself, but not even the comforting presence of her boyfriend could drown away the sights, the smells, the feel, the anguish.
Sirens filled the otherwise silent air as the ambulance and officers rolled down the small town highway. Tires squealed as they came to a halt, slightly skidding as the workers jumped out of their vehicles, yelling orders to one another as they went. The commotion doubled, a white noise filling her hazy mind as she scrunched her face up in agony. It was coming back, the pain was coming, the reality was coming.
Flashes of light flew before her eyes as she turned herself sideways, as far away from the scene as she could. A cold liquid filled her body as she felt her heart slow, felt her lungs cease, felt her skin freeze, and felt her mind come alive. It was the same, yet the strange feeling had become alien, many years had passed since she had last experienced these, and Bella felt fear creep through her as they came back once more.
It was hazy at first, colors mixing together as they swarmed together, slowly separating from one another to form a living picture. Alice was there, her black hair glossy in the low lighting, her small form moving nervously about the room. Jasper sat on a couch nearby, his determined eyes watching as he talked in slow practiced whispers. The distinct smell of alcohol and blood filled her nose, her throat gagging as she bent over.
A door swung open at the end of the hall, white doors, hospital doors. Carlisle came running as fast as he dared through them, his eyes filled with fear, with grief. His blonde hair was in a disarray, sticking every which way as he passed his adoptive children and ran into a single door. Silence was left in his wake.
Esme had a coffee in her hands, speaking soothingly to a broken Charlie, who shook violently. Sobs wracked her body, as she watched the doors where her beloved had just disappeared, hope and prayers upon her full lips.
Emmet sat in a stiff chair, his broad shoulders taking up more room that what any normal person would. Rosalie sat at his side, neither sad, nor happy, merely a placid tone on her model like beauty. Her fingernails having been painted, but now were chipped of their color, her mouth moving in a silent rhythm.
A few moments later, a very disgruntled Carlisle strolled into the lobby, his gait smooth, but his body ragged. Each unnecessary breath he took was strained, a hand running over his stressed features. Esme rushed forward, urging him to speak as he silently pondered, choosing his words.
Bella could not hear what was happening, but several phrases were said, before they collapsed. Charlie broke down, his slightly bearded face crumpling, caving in, his body sagging in his seat as the coffee he had took from Esme fell to the floor. Esme lunged at Carlisle, burying her head into the side of his neck as she tried to block the pain. His hands rubbed her back as he bent his cranium to her shoulder, visibly shaking. Emmet turned to grasp Rosalie, for his own comfort rather than her own, while she returned the embrace, shock welling in her eyes. Alice crumpled to the floor, her hands covering her pixie face as Jasper rushed to embrace her trembling body.
"Bella!" the harsh tone of his voice brought her from her world, her lungs starting up once more, her heart beating again.
The cold liquid fled her body, leaving behind only the memory of the internal chill that still wracked her. She could still see the images, feel their agony as they suffered great pain, great loss. Fear gripped her as she thought of Edward, could he have been the one in the hospital? Could he have been the one that all were so upset about? He had said before not to worry about his safety, but no matter his opinion, Bella could not help herself from becoming horrified that another hunter had come, this one stronger than the last.
"I'm alright Edward," she hardly recognized her voice, it was hollow, cold and harsh, but was not directed at him.
He looked unconvinced, and Bella couldn't blame him for his reaction, she knew what happened when this occurred, things that should have meant her life ended. Staring at the trees, she slowly stood as Edward led her over to the awaiting officers, their questioning soon filling her mind as she tried to recall all the details of what she saw when she arrived. Charlie, who had also came, stood back a few feet, taking the body into the ambulance because lack of rescuers.
Each new question made her mind spin, her weakened body shake as she tried to answer all of the things thrown her way. Soon, the tension left as Edward steered her away, explaining the shock that had occurred upon her, and that she wasn't emotionally stable at the time. Any other time she would have argued, but the image that still fresh in her mind chilled her more than anything that she had seen in the present.
Looking at his stony expression, Bella could feel the heated conversation on this horizon, he would not be pleased by her secret. Alice stayed behind, opting to ride with Jasper, her glances telling the human girl that she feared the battle that would ensue. Oddly enough, she felt no hesitation, nor any worries, her heart still beating rapidly in her chest.
The doors slammed hard, the engine roaring to life as he drove away, aiming to his home far away from the turmoil. His movements were forced, his hands gripping the steering wheel with such force that she could swear she heard cracking. Biting her lip, Bella waited for him to make the first move, for him to question her, she didn't want to start up something that she knew would end badly.
"Bella, what happened?" his voice was menacing, cold, hard, a stone that stood strong as the roaring sea beat upon it.
"I don't want to say," her voice was small, unbelieving, firm, yet tentative, a small lamb facing down the raging lion.
"Why not?" his eyes were focused on her face, looking at her features as she nervously twirled her dark locks.
"You'll be angry," she knew he would, she didn't have to see the storm in his eyes to know it was nothing compared to what the news she had would wrought.
"Angrier than now?" his eyes traveled back to the road, the wheels turning as he pulled onto the side road that let to his home.
"Yes, very much so," her hands gripped the leather seats, her fingernails squeaking slightly at the pressure she put upon them.
"I don't care, explain," his mouth was grim as he slowly slowed to a halt, the wheel ceasing their movement as the drive came to an end.
"But, Edward, you don't..." her voice trailed off as his words broke through her sentence, halting all arguments.
"Now Bella."
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A/N: Yay! All done with my first chapter, I hope you guys liked it! R&R! I update faster with the more support. Thanks to one and all.
Dark Huntress